HEY! All you USPS gurus!! I have a question...

[connivingsumo]

My wife told me that I could "order" priority shipping boxes from USPS.com and the postal carrier would deliver the boxes... THEN, I could print out my shipping label online (pay for the box & shipping label), pack it, and then the set it out by the mailbox and my postal carrier would pick it up and deliver it.

Now for the questions....

1) How do you do that? I went to USPS.com and couldn't figure out how to order the box(es), printing label(s), and pay for them. I can see on their home page that it looks like I can - but haven't been able to figure out how exactly.

2) Can you do Delivery Confirmation using that process?

Thanks in advance! I know there are (at least) a couple of USPS employees here on Btown - so I knew this was the place to ask, but I suppose I could ask next time I'm in my local office, which would probably be this Saturday. Even though - I bet the "gurus" here would be able to explain it better!

Look forward to your guidance!

Rik (sumo)

[Captain_Obvious]

You can set most of that up through Paypal. They have the printouts for it and you can schedule a pickup from yer house with USPS. As for getting the boxes delivered, Ive never heard of that so best of luck.

[NGArtStudios]

The "Flat Rate" boxes from USPS are actually free. Here is a link to their online store: https://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores ... y=10000002

Just place an order for them and they get delivered to you free of charge.

Also, here is the link to where you can print shipping labels off of their site: https://sss-web.usps.com/cns/landing.do

Once you print the shipping label they give you an option to schedule a carrier pick-up. You just fill in how many packages your shipping as well as where they will be located. If you want to schedule a carrier pick-up for the following day, you just have to make sure to do it by a certain time (I believe it's 2pm), or else it will not give you the option to schedule for that following day.

[HarlequinZero]

I believe you also need a small electronic scale to weigh packages. If I remember kturock correctly you can get them for a reasonable price straight from the USPS.

[kturock]

you can set up a FREE account at usps.com

You DON'T NEED PAYPAL.
You can use any charge card at the site, with or without, te site saving the info.

Once you set up an account, you can order boxes, tape, and al the free supplies. There are some supplies you can buy, like a scale also.

You get a discount on postage. but you can only buy postage for priority mail or express mail; which are the boxes you can get for free. You also get FREE d/c when you buy postage from usps.com. You can also get email notices of delivery status, free.

You buy postage and print out the labels from your printer. You CAN buy label paper sheets with adhesive on the back, from either usps.com or any office supply store.
I don't. I use plain paper and use clear packing tape. I buy it for $1 a roll at the dollar store. I cover the entire label except for the d/c numbers. If you cover over it, it won't scan. Then the carrier will have to enter the entire number manually. Some don't.

Paypal only will sell postage if you have an account with one of their vendors that use paypal. I have a paypal account and one through one of the vendors, I don't recall the name.

If you have any more questions email me, pm me.
I've been spending less time on here and don't always see new topics.

.

[connivingsumo]

Thanks for all of the excellent responses.

With priority boxes - I thought the weight didn't matter as long as it fit in their priority boxes? Thought I saw a commercial about that, and when I use priority boxes when I go to my local USPS.

Either way, you've all supplied a ton of useful info and they sound easier than me trying to get to the local spot.

Thanks everyone

Rik

[kturock]

Thanks for all of the excellent responses.

With priority boxes - I thought the weight didn't matter as long as it fit in their priority boxes? Thought I saw a commercial about that, and when I use priority boxes when I go to my local USPS.

Either way, you've all supplied a ton of useful info and they sound easier than me trying to get to the local spot.

Thanks everyone

Rik

Depends on the box. There are specific boxes and envelopes that say "Flat Rate" on them. They are paid by the size. I got a box of empty brass .38 shells. It weighs easily 10-15 pounds. It was in a Medium Flat Rate box. Postage was $12.60 with insurance. It had free d/c.

Now if you use a priority or express mail labels, tape, boxes or envelopes, you must use that service and pay that fee; otherwise it'll get returned for additional postage or sent forward postage due. [it depends on who finds the shortage and how far it is from it's destination/origination]

.

[connivingsumo]

Oh ok, the Flat Rate - that's what I was thinking of.

Thanks again

[govannon]

You can buy first class mail and get DC for .19 on paypal too. You get the discount shipping too.
I think you can still get free labels from UPS.com and just cut the small ups part off. I use UPS sometimes and the labels work great for both. It is the same 2 label per sheet that paypal prints on. I bought a digital scale on ebay super cheap.

Last time I order boxes from usps, all priority mail boxes are free and ship free.